Phi Phi & Krabi Private Day Tour by VIP Speed boat

The best part of this tour is control. You get a private speedboat for up to eight people, so your group can enjoy Hong Island, Railay Beach, Poda Island, Chicken Island, and Phi Phi without sharing the boat with strangers. I like the freedom to spend more time in the water and less time waiting for a large group to gather.

I also like the hotel pickup and open bar, along with the chance to see several famous islands in one long day. The main caution is the route description: the overview mentions James Bond Island and Maya Bay, while the detailed schedule lists Krabi and Phi Phi stops instead. Lunch is also described in different ways, so confirm the exact route and meal before paying.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat for up to eight people: Your group has the vessel to itself, with no other booking passengers onboard.
• Six major island stops: Hong Island, Railay Beach, Poda Island, Chicken Island, Phi Phi Don, and Phi Phi Leh are listed for the day.
• A fast, full day on the water: The schedule adds up to roughly 8 hours before allowing for transfers and changes caused by weather.
• Hotel pickup is included: Round-trip private transfer and processing at Boat Lagoon are part of the package.
• Drinks are included, lunch needs checking: Unlimited drinks are included, but the details also say lunch is not included.
• Weather can change the plan: The operator may offer another date or a full refund if poor weather cancels the trip.

A private speedboat day with a very full map

This is an ambitious island-hopping trip. You are not choosing one beach and staying put. You are moving through Krabi and the Phi Phi group, with time set aside for swimming, snorkeling, sightseeing, and canoeing.

For a group of friends or family, the private format is the biggest advantage. You can talk freely, spread out, and avoid the usual crowd-management routine of a shared excursion. If someone wants to stay in the water a little longer, your group has a better chance of adjusting the pace.

The boat is described as a VIP speedboat, which matters because the distances between these islands can make a full day tiring. The speed helps connect several places, though the ride itself may be lively. If you are prone to seasickness, the open sea and long hours onboard deserve serious thought.

The tour is priced at $920 per group of up to eight. That works out to $115 per person if you fill every place, before considering any food or extra admission charges. For a full private charter with transfers and an English-speaking guide, that can be reasonable for a large group. For two or three people, the cost per person rises quickly.

The provider is JustGoPhuket.com. The experience is commonly booked well ahead, with an average lead time of about 73 days. That suggests you should not leave it until the last minute if your dates are fixed.

Starting at Boat Lagoon

Your day begins with private pickup from your hotel and transfer to Boat Lagoon Pier. At the pier, you check in and have tea and coffee before boarding.

This opening half-hour is useful rather than glamorous. It gives you a chance to use the facilities, meet the guide, and settle before the speedboat leaves. Because the tour can last from 6 to 10 hours, a calm start helps.

The location information needs checking at booking. The experience is identified with Ko Yao Yai, while the summary refers to departure from Phuket and the route begins at Boat Lagoon. Ask exactly where pickup is available, how long the transfer will take, and if your hotel is covered.

That point matters because transfer time can change the feel of the day. A long road transfer followed by a full boat route makes this a bigger commitment than the simple phrase day tour suggests.

Hong Island in Krabi

Hong Island is the first listed island stop, with about an hour planned there. The schedule gives it a separate place because it offers a mix of island scenery and time on the water.

You can expect this to be one of the quieter-feeling sections of the day compared with the famous Phi Phi locations. The tour description does not specify one exact activity at Hong Island, so use the stop for the natural highlights available that day, such as swimming, sightseeing, or a short shore visit.

An admission fee may not be included here. The same applies to some later islands, so ask the operator which entrance charges you will need to pay locally. These fees are small compared with the charter price, but surprises are easy to avoid.

One hour is enough for a taste, not an unhurried visit. If Hong Island is your main reason for booking, confirm whether the boat will spend the full planned time there.

Railay Bay and its famous shoreline

The next stop is Railay Beach, where about an hour is set aside for snorkeling. Railay is reached by boat and is known for its dramatic coastal setting, so this is a good place to combine scenery with water time.

The appeal here is variety. You are not looking only at beaches from the boat. You also get a chance to get into the sea and see how the water conditions compare with the other stops.

Snorkeling quality depends on weather and visibility, and no operator can guarantee perfect conditions. The tour requires good weather, so the final route may change if conditions are poor.

With only an hour, you may need to choose between snorkeling and spending time on the beach. Tell your guide what matters most to your group. Since the boat is private, that conversation should be easier than on a large shared excursion.

Two hours around Poda Island

Poda Island receives a longer two-hour stop. The activities listed here include snorkeling, sightseeing, and canoeing, giving you one of the more active sections of the day.

I like this part of the plan because it allows more breathing room. A short stop can feel like a photo break, while two hours gives you time to swim, look around, and take part in more than one activity.

Canoeing is specifically mentioned, but the supplied details do not say whether equipment is included or if an additional charge applies. Ask before departure. Poda Island also has an admission fee listed as not included, so budget for that separately.

This is a good stop for groups with different interests. One person can snorkel, another can stay on the beach, and someone else can focus on sightseeing. The private format makes that split easier to manage.

Chicken Island for scenery and snorkeling

Chicken Island is scheduled for another two hours. Its name comes from the distinctive rock shape associated with the island, making it one of the route’s most recognizable sightseeing points.

The plan again combines sightseeing and snorkeling. That mix is useful because not everyone wants to spend the entire day in the sea. You can enjoy the view, take photographs, and then use the remaining time for swimming if conditions are suitable.

As with Poda Island, an admission fee is not included. The schedule does not promise a specific lunch location or a beach setup here, so do not assume that this will be a sit-down meal stop.

By this stage, the speedboat day may begin to feel long. Two hours in the sun is pleasant when you have shade, drinks, and a pace that suits your group. It is less comfortable if you expect a quiet beach day with no movement between stops.

Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh

The final major section is the Phi Phi Islands, with about two hours allocated to Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh. The focus is snorkeling, though this is also the part of the route most likely to feel busy or highly scheduled.

Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh offer two different kinds of appeal. Phi Phi Don is the inhabited island, while Phi Phi Leh is known for its striking bays and famous coastal views. The supplied plan does not say how the two hours are split, so ask whether you will stop at both or spend most of the time in one area.

The overview also mentions Maya Bay and Loh Samah Bay. Those names do not appear in the detailed stop-by-stop schedule, so you should not assume they are guaranteed. Ask for a written route that names every bay and island included on your date.

The same warning applies to Monkey Beach and James Bond Island. They appear in the broad tour description, but the detailed route lists Hong Island, Railay, Poda, Chicken, and Phi Phi instead. These areas are not close enough for a casual assumption that all can be covered properly in one day.

This is the most important booking question. If Maya Bay or James Bond Island is your priority, confirm it directly with JustGoPhuket.com before booking. Otherwise, you may pay for one route while imagining another.

Food, drinks, and what to confirm

Unlimited drinks and an open bar are included. That is helpful on a long day in the tropical sun, especially when several stops involve swimming and snorkeling.

The food information is less clear. The overview describes a Thai lunch onboard, but the inclusions say lunch is not included. Vegetarian food is available if requested at booking, yet the wording does not settle whether that means an included meal, an optional meal, or a special arrangement at extra cost.

Do not leave this vague. Ask three simple questions:

• Is lunch included in the $920 price?
• Where is lunch served, onboard or at a stop?
• Is the vegetarian option included at the same price?

This is also the right time to ask about snorkeling and canoeing equipment, island admission charges, and the exact departure point. Clear answers will help you judge the real cost.

What the private format is worth

A private boat changes the day more than the word VIP might suggest. You are paying for space, flexibility, and a guide focused only on your party. That is especially useful for families, couples traveling together, or a group of friends who want the same pace.

At the full capacity of eight, the math is strongest. The group rate becomes $115 each before food or extra fees. At four people, it becomes $230 each. At two people, it is a costly way to reach the islands unless privacy is your main priority.

The private setup does not guarantee private beaches. You will still visit well-known places, and the route may be affected by weather and local conditions. You are buying a private boat, not exclusive access to every island.

The fast boat also means less time in transit than a slower vessel, but it does not make the route small. Six island areas, hotel transfers, check-in, and several water stops create a packed day.

Weather, cancellation, and practical comfort

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.

After that deadline, the amount paid is not refunded, and changes made within 24 hours are not accepted. Keep the local cut-off time in mind when making plans.

Most people can participate, according to the supplied information, but no detailed accessibility information is provided. If anyone in your group has mobility, medical, or swimming concerns, ask the operator before booking.

The experience received an overall rating of 3 from two reviews, so the sample is very small. The strongest praise focused on the speedboat scenery and the hospitality. One review described the scenes as awe-inspiring and called the experience worth the wait, while also mentioning a warm welcome and a playful guide interaction. That points to the boat ride and personal service as the likely highlights, but it is not enough evidence to promise a perfect day.

Who should book this Phi Phi and Krabi tour?

I would consider this tour for a group of six to eight people that wants a private boat and prefers a busy sightseeing day to a slow beach escape. It suits people who want to combine swimming, snorkeling, island views, and several famous names in one booking.

It is also a practical choice if hotel pickup matters. The private transfer removes some of the work of reaching Boat Lagoon, though you should confirm the pickup area and total transfer time.

I would hesitate if you want a clearly defined route, a guaranteed visit to Maya Bay, or a confirmed onboard lunch without having to ask questions. The conflicting route details need sorting out first.

Should you book it?

Book this private Phi Phi and Krabi speedboat tour if you can fill most of the eight seats, value privacy, and want a fast-moving day with several water stops. The included guide, private transfers, and unlimited drinks strengthen the value.

Before booking, get written confirmation of the departure location, exact islands, Maya Bay and James Bond Island access, lunch arrangements, and all admission fees. If those details match your priorities, the tour offers a flexible way to see a lot of southern Thailand by sea. If not, choose a shorter and more focused island trip instead.

FAQ

How long does the private speedboat tour last?

The stated duration is approximately 6 to 10 hours. The exact length can vary with the route, transfers, and conditions.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat is private for your group, with capacity for up to eight people.

Are other passengers placed on the boat?

No. Only your group participates in the private boat activity.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip private transfer is included, with pickup from your hotel and processing at Boat Lagoon Pier.

Which islands are included in the detailed route?

The detailed route lists Hong Island, Railay Beach, Poda Island, Chicken Island, Phi Phi Don, and Phi Phi Leh.

Are James Bond Island and Maya Bay included?

They are mentioned in the general tour description, but they are not listed in the detailed stop schedule. Confirm directly with the provider before booking.

Is lunch included?

The information is inconsistent. One description refers to a Thai lunch onboard, while the inclusions say lunch is not included. Confirm the meal arrangement and cost before booking.

Are vegetarian meals available?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available if you request it when booking.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited drinks and an open bar are included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Can I cancel the tour?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.